The adventure ends. The post begins.

Main menu

Post navigation

Easy Street

I’m working on a theory. I’m still developing it. My sample size is very small – but my theory bears out inside the sample – my little family. The theory is this: The way people come into the world is the way they live their lives. What do you think so far?

Let’s take my daughter Katie – sample number one. She rolled in after eight hours of steady measured labor – never letting up – organized and efficient. It’s the same way she does everything – like in high school, she’d plop on the edge of my bed with her calendar and ask if we could shop for her prom dress on the 15th or the 21st?

Sample number two – Margaret – careened into the world – out of control – in less than two hours. So – I’d learn about prom when it had become an emergency – “Mom!! I need a prom dress on Friday!!”

But sample number three – William – neither planned or freaked. Mom – he calmly said to me once – at seven o’clock at night – “It’s mandatory. I have to wear a suit tomorrow. Where can we get one?” And that – according to my new theory is because of the way he came into the world nineteen years ago today. He strolled in – on Easy Street.

It was just after midnight on October 12th, 1998. That’s when the mother of all labor pains hit. I tapped my husband, Jim, who instantly assumed a first responder demeanor. He called the neighbor and – again – flipped on his imaginary lights and sirens and we were off just as another contraction hit.

What with it being my third labor – I was now super smart about the whole thing – my goal was to NOT feel any more labor pains. At the hospital, I told the nurse – “My name is Joyce Huntington and I’m in labor and I’d love an epidural as soon as you can set one up.”

“Honey,” she said – “Let’s make sure you ARE in labor.” They always say that. Then they hold out on the anesthesia.

So this time I whipped out my secret weapon. “Yes, of course,” I agreed, compliantly – but added. “And – my doctor said to call him immediately because my first two labors were vicious and fast. Really fast.”

I think it worked. The anesthesiologist was there in minutes. He was from Spain – had an accent. In fact, I could barely understand him. But I didn’t need to. His work was universal. He did his thing which put me on a path toward the easiest labor in history – well, at least my labor history. I felt no pain. I slept – for about 6 hours – until it was time.

The doctor strolled in. He seemed to be on Easy Street too. Since we were the last couple – just about -in America – to NOT find out the sex of the baby – he asked if we had names for both. We said we had the boy figured out but we hadn’t quite settled on a girl. “Ahh,” he said, “Well, maybe you won’t need it.”

There was some coaxing and pushing and then the doctor casually said – “A boy.” And the nurse plopped our new baby boy on a table – sitting upright while she examined him. It took a moment for me to notice he was crying – a tiny, infant cry – I could barely hear it. It was like he was trying NOT to get my attention. I thought – I love that kid.

We made the first call to Jim’s parents. He bellowed, “It’s a boy!” Then a loud cheer came out of the phone. It was a raucous one – like someone had scored a touchdown or something. It wafted around the room.

And since that moment – we’ve been cheering for the little guy we named William Henry Huntington. But we’re especially cheering for him today – because at just after eight o’clock – California time – he easily turned twenty years old!

I remember getting to tell everyone at St. John’s nursery school that day that Will had arrived – how excited we all were then and how much we continue to love Will! Joyce what a beautiful tale and photo journey you have spun for us. You have a gift!!! Happy Birthday Will….xoxo The Reeds